In August of 2013, one of the world’s most cherished cruise ships barely limped into a Turkish scrapyard after developing a leak and taking on a severe list while under tow from Genoa, Italy. Peter Knego

Renamed Acif for its final voyage to the breakers, it last sailed under the name Pacific but is fondly known for its 27 year career with Princess Cruises as the Pacific Princess, television’s original “Love Boat”. Peter Knego

Tragically, two Turkish laborers died of carbon dioxide poisoning while trying to pump out and right the listing former Love Boat prior to its dismantling. Peter Knego

For the next several months, the partially flooded Acif would repeatedly battle against capsizing while at the same time succumbing to the cutters’ torches. Peter Knego

Acif was not alone in its death struggle. It would join former fleetmate Antic (left), built as Sitmar Cruises’ Fairsky but best known as Princess Cruises’ Sky Princess. When Acif arrived, its bow collided with the partially scrapped Rochdale One (right), the onetime Soviet Cruise ship Ayvazovsky. Peter Knego

Acif was built in 1971 as Flagship Cruises’ Sea Venture by the Rheinstal Nordseewerk shipyard at Emden, Germany. It originally measured 19,903 gross tons and carried 626 passengers on Bermuda cruise service from New York. Peter Knego

The Sea Venture was part of a new generation of Scandinavian-designed, purpose-built cruise ships introduced in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It featured sleek lines, airy MidCentury interiors, abundant open deck spaces and a trendy, sliding glass Magrodome over the midships pool. Peter Knego collection

In 1977, Princess agreed to allow the ship to be featured as the backdrop and occa-sional set for the new television series “The Love Boat”. The show became a huge success and not only made the Pacific Princess a household name but brought cruising to a new generation of people. Peter Knego

In 2002, as Princess expanded and modernized its fleet, the aging Pacific Princess was sold to Viagens CVC and chartered to Spanish-based Pullmantur Cruises, who renamed it Pacific. In 2008, it was chartered to another Spanish operator called Quail Cruises. Peter Knego

After just one season with Quail, Pacific was sent to the San Giorgio del Porto ship-yard in Genoa for a major refit. 6 million Euros had been spent on repairs when a dispute arose between the owners and the yard, bringing all work to a halt. The ship was on the sales market for five years before finally being sold for scrap in the summer of 2013. Peter Knego

Although devoid of guests in its final year in limbo, the then Pacific’s iconic two deck entry lobby had changed little over time. Many scenes from “The Love Boat” were filmed on an enlarged Hollywood sound stage version of this space. Peter Knego

Shown here in its Princess heyday, the Carrara marble-paneled lobby is the precursor to the soaring atria found on many of today’s cruise ships. Sadly, the Guttorm Guttormsborg brass mural of birds would be destroyed along with all of the ship’s remaining artworks during demolition. Peter Knego

Another iconic space was the midships pool, with its sliding glass, “all weather” Magrodome. Peter Knego

Here is the pool in happier days when its centerpiece was a bronze sculpture of a boy with a sea shell to his ear. This statue disappeared during the ship’s long layup at Genoa. Peter Knego

The former Pacific Princess was one of the first ships to boast this indoor/outdoor feature, introduced in 1965 aboard Home Lines’ deluxe cruise ship Oceanic. Peter Knego

Seen from the uppermost Observation Deck with the Magrodome open, here is the pool area in 1996. Peter Knego

And here, nearing its final days, with Genoa as its backdrop. The Magrodome had been sealed shut and rust was setting in around the Observation Deck. Peter Knego

As with everything else, restoration work on the forward Sun Deck terrace came to a sudden halt in 2008. Peter Knego

Here is that same forward Sun Deck area in 1996. Peter Knego

From the tip of the then Pacific’s bow, the ship resembled a construction zone with two large containers on the foredeck and new anchor chain mechanisms installed in 2008 that would never be utilized. Peter Knego

The once inviting, teak-lined outdoor walkways on Promenade Deck were left to rot when the ship stopped sailing. The lifeboat davits were in the midst of being renovated when the refit stopped. Peter Knego

During its final years, several of the Pacific’s boats were placed on the adjacent dock, only to be piled back on board for the tow to the breakers. Peter Knego

Here is the starboard Promenade Deck in 1996. Peter Knego

Most of the Pacific’s lifeboats were stowed at the stern on aft Promenade Deck. Peter Knego

This is the same view in an image from 2000. Peter Knego

The pools on the former Pacific Princess were relatively tiny compared to those on today’s mega ships. Peter Knego

Nesting seagulls had utilized Pacific’s empty decks long after her last passenger disembarked. Peter Knego

Here is a view over the stern from 1996. Peter Knego

Throughout the ship, much had been done to replace corroded steelwork but all of it would be in vain. Peter Knego

The uppermost public room, the Starlight Lounge, was located on forward Sun Deck. Peter Knego

As built, the Starlight Lounge was a sleek Midcentury Modern observation lounge. Peter Knego

In latter Princess years, the Starlight Lounge was revamped as an adjunct to the Lido area, just aft on Sun Deck. Peter Knego

Many scenes in “The Love Boat” were filmed on the Pacific Princess’ bridge wings, shown here in decay. Peter Knego

The wheelhouse changed little over the years, although much of the equipment had been periodically updated. All of the equipment was demolished during the scrapping process. Peter Knego

An entire level of public rooms began on Riviera Deck with the Carousel Lounge, which served as the ship’s official show room. Its ceiling was comprised of handmade interlocking ceramic tiles what would also be lost in the wanton demolition. Peter Knego

In the adjacent Carousel Bar, the carpeting was damaged by water from a leak that had since been repaired. Peter Knego

Here is the Carousel Bar in 1996 sporting a beige color scheme. Of particular merit, its Bjorn Engo enamel panels would be carelessly destroyed by the Turkish shipbreakers. Peter Knego

Beyond the forward foyer on Riviera Deck, long galleries lined with full length windows continued aft on either side of the ship. Peter Knego

In the latter day Princess era, these galleries were used as the ship’s casino. Peter Knego

In its final days, what remained of the Pacific’s casino had been carved out of the once-lovely Princess Theater and meeting room inboard of the Riviera Deck galleries. Peter Knego

On the port side, the Skaal Bar still had its original wall panels depicting caravelles and galleons. Peter Knego

Here is a view of the Skaal Bar in 2000, not long before the Pacific Princess departed the Princess fleet. Peter Knego

The beautifully paneled Pacific Bar was located on the starboard side of aft Riviera Deck. Peter Knego

Furniture stowed, the Pacific Lounge at the far aft end of Riviera Deck was perhaps the most handsome room on the ship with its double deck glass screen overlooking the stern. Peter Knego

Here is a forward-facing view of the Pacific Lounge taken in 2000. The glass fiber pillars and Nordic ceramic panel were pleasing original fixtures. Peter Knego

A wonderful spiral staircase on its starboard side led to the upper level of the Pacific Lounge. Peter Knego

Originally, the Promenade Deck level of the Pacific Lounge was called the Terrace Lounge, serving as a quiet nook for card games or a place to just sit with a view of the sea. Peter Knego

The Terrace Lounge was last utilized by Quail Cruises as a children’s playroom. Peter Knego

Pacific Princess was built in the pre-verandah era but it had a wide variety of ac-commodation, topped with Category A Deluxe Suites that featured separate sitting are-as and bedrooms. Even at the very end, the forward-facing Suite 104 on Promenade Deck looked ready for guests. Peter Knego

Category B Deluxe Suites were spacious and featured two or three picture windows. This was suite 351 on aft Promenade Deck as it appeared in 2000. Peter Knego

Here is Deluxe Cabin 120 as it appeared in 2013, in need of some bedding and a little dusting. Peter Knego

Category F and G twin outside cabins, shown in 2012, were situated on Aloha and Fiesta Decks and featured either picture windows or portholes. Peter Knego

The Coral Dining Room was on the lowest passenger level, Coral Deck. It featured a sunken midsection and portholes with views of the sea that could be closed off with colorful screens. Peter Knego

Here is the Coral Dining Room as it appeared in 2000. Peter Knego

Much of Coral Deck was dedicated to crew space, such as this crew cabin towards the stern of the ship. Note the deadlights over the portholes. Peter Knego

Pacific was powered by Fiat diesels that drove twin screws at a service speed of 20 knots. This is a view of the ship’s engine control room. Peter Knego

A great deal of mechanical work, including new ducting, valves and even the installation of a new generator (in blue) was in progress before work stopped in 2008. Peter Knego

Despite last minute campaigns to save the former Love Boat, the ship’s fate was sealed in 2013 when it was sold for scrap. Peter Knego

The former Pacific Princess has had an indelible impact on the world of cruising. The vast fleet of today’s mega ships are indebted to this erstwhile television star, which will cease to exist within a matter of weeks. Peter Knego